Pre-Christmas Fun

The month leading up to Christmas might be the best time of year because: family activities, sugar, not sick of winter yet, sugar, skiing, some more fun activities and more sugar.

I've been horribly neglectful of this beautiful blog (ha!) because we always do so much in December, posting about it felt SUPER overwhelming. So reading about it might feel the same. This is a huge photo dump mostly just to remember what a fun time we have in December. I'll do another smaller Christmas day post and then let's hope I can get back onto the blogging wagon.

Started off the month with Krindlemart. It was insanely busy, mild weather, and something that I would have enjoyed had it been 1/100th of the number of people. But the kids LOVED the petting zoo so I suppose I can call it a win?

Krampus is the guy that visits the bad kids in Germany? James is totally putting on a brave face here, he was nervous!

She dressed herself and wore the hat all day and pretty much killed me with how adorable she is. Having a daughter was and is everything I thought it would be.

Juliet has been really into matching her dolls this month and suddenly has taken an interest in American Girl dolls (yay!). This was before E's family annual St. Nicholas tea.

 Did I mention there was some sugar consumed?

These cousins are SO LUCKY to have a Damma that works at a doll store. Honestly, it is so fun to go visit her.

 Baby cousin William isn't much of a baby anymore.

 Squad goals. Emilia (middle) is cracking me up so much!

My grandma has aged so much since her stroke eight years ago. It's hard to see her this way, it's hard to visit and it's almost impossible for her to leave the facility. But we love her.

The only thing better than a gingerbread house is a pre-assembled gingerbread house. Costco for life.

Temple Square at Christmas time is a freezing cold must.

The kids found Hannuka magical this year and couldn't wait to light the candles each night.

Another fancy vintage dress to go meet Santa.

Per regular Juliet wouldn't even look, talk to or sit with Santa. James said he wants Lego and books.

Luckily I got this adorable photo of them even if Juliet wouldn't see Santa.

Later that night we had a special dinner in the living room. Cheese and crackers, sausage and dip, olives and mini quiches. Everyone loved it.

Pre-Christmas skiing.

One day we heard that the real Mrs. Claus was at the doll shop where Damma worked. The kids were thrilled to find out it was ACTUALLY Damma. Now we joke that they shouldn't tell their friends, because we don't want everyone knowing the kids have such easy access to the big man himself. ;)

Grand America windows are another December must.

Anual ski day for my dad's birthday. For the first time ever E joined us and kept up with our crazy crew surprisingly well! 

All dressed up for Christmas Eve! Look how big my kids are getting.

My sister hosted and everyone was thrilled because we were able to play with her new puppy Koa!

New pjs for Christmas. Santa is coming! Goodnight kiddos!

 Santa came!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving at Chelsea's house. Thanksgiving happened to land on her birthday, yet she still wanted to host! Amazing. The kids are at such a fun age. Emilia and Juliet have really hit it off in the last six months, so much so that James oftentimes feels left out. William will be big enough to play in no time.

Four cousins, growing up side by side.

Juliet's AMAZING dress is vintage (purchased by Connie!) and James' sweater is H&M

Second grade and Kindergarten!

Two days after returning for Maui James started second grade! He was a bit nervous, a bit excited and quite a bit sad to have summer winding down. He ended up having a fabulous day and loving his teacher. James eats hot lunch every day and plays with his friend Ian most days at recess.

This bunny didn't start for another week and was SO nervous and anxious on her first day. Yes, this is a smiling photo but there were lots of tears and anxiety even when she had to say goodbye to me.

 James was trying to help, make her feel better. Sweetest big brother.

 E wanted to see Juliet after her first day of school and she came out of the class with a huge smile, saying it was "a great day." We've had some anxiety each morning before drop off, but overall the transition has gone smoothly and has been easier than it was with James.

After we hugged and kissed Daddy I asked her what she'd like to do. She chose Wendy's and a visit to the park.

And while my kids are at school I love to spend my time hiking. I'm not able to go daily (things like grocery shopping, laundry and responsibilities keep me out of the mountains) but I try to make it up there weekly. When this view is thirty mins from my house the tired legs and burning lungs are worth it.

Yosemite Valley

We spent some lovely days in Yosemite Valley when we were in Yosemite last week. But first some perspective, Yosemite National Park is huge, over 1,000 square miles. But most of Yosemite's 3.8 million (!!!) visitors only visit the seven square miles in the valley.

While all of Yosemite is stunning, Yosemite Valley is a bit like the Garden of Eden. A huge deep green river winds it way through the center of the valley, and waterfalls on both sides of the valley (over six falls) tumble to join the Merced river at the bottom. Granite cliffs reach skyward and the famous Half Dome, El Capitan, and countless more granite cliffs circle the small valley.

Because 3.8 million people visit the valley every year, the most popular trails are crowded (think Old Faithful in Yellowstone). But only steps off some of the busiest trails in the park, we found many small hidden gems. This river the kids played in for over an hour, and we were the only ones there, and literally were within one minute of the busiest trail in the park.

Yosemite Falls is very special (we were married in a meadow that faced this waterfall), and what you see behind James is only a small portion of the falls! This lower fall is only a 320 foot drop (still HUGE) while the upper falls is over a 1400 foot drop (about the size of a 140 story building)! Enormous! 

James, who is the waterfall expert, spotted this tiny frog first thing. Can you spot him? He's perfectly camouflaged.

Our secret river spot was our favorite though. Although the huge waterfall has its appeal, the crowds don't.

Goof.

Another morning we headed into the valley early and stopped at this lovely historic church that we almost tied the knot in. Instead we decided for an outdoor ceremony, but isn't it stunning?

The morning light always captivates me.

Bridalveil Fall is another gigantic waterfall that plummets to the valley floor below. These photos really don't show you scale, because they are HUGE. (This one is about as tall as a sixty story building, which is three times larger than anything we have in Salt Lake City.)

I got the kids some new clothes for this trip, and this shirt (that read: Yosemite is always sunrises, a glitter of green, and golden wonder) felt especially apt.

As did the "America, Explore the National Parks".

Man we loved that river.

Near the old church we found a hallow log. Both kids had their new stuffed animals and played and played. The light was so beautiful E and I couldn't stop taking photos.

 So much of the wildlife is tame. Lots of guests taking this guy's photo.

Upper Yosemite Falls from cross the valley. We are always trying to get photos without a million people, because trust me, this park is packed.

More posts to come!

This photo isn't mine, but a Yosemite Valley post felt incomplete without showing the scale of Half Dome (source).